Visit Cordova - Alaska's Hidden
Gem
Tour
178
 Visiting
Cordova is a step back in time to Alaska of the 1940's; wooden
buildings from another era, friendly people, and a slow pace of
life. Established in 1906 as the railroad terminus for the Kennicott
copper mines, today Cordova is one of Alaska's hidden gems just
waiting to be discovered. Prince William Sound is America's largest
intact marine
ecosystem with more than two million birds coming through the Copper
Delta on their spring migration; trumpeter swans and rare dusky
Canada goose nest here. The rich Copper River Delta supports moose,
brown & black bear, wolves and black-tailed deer. Harbor seals play
in the local waters. Orca Adventure lodge was once a cannery built
in the 1880's. Orca has recently been rebuilt into Alaska's
finest adventure destination.
Three days /two nights
Day
1: Morning flight from Anchorage to Cordova on
Era Aviation. Cordova is primarily a
commercial fishing community with roots dating back to the
Kennicott copper mining boom of the late 1890's and early
1900's. This historic port has retained much of the small
town charm and appeal of the period and is easily explored
on foot today. On arrival transfer is provided to Orca
Adventure Lodge, located on the shores of Prince William
Sound. Orca was a
cannery town originally built in the 1880's. From the old
cannery site, Orca Adventure Lodge has recently been
rebuilt into one of Alaska's finest adventure lodges.
While retaining its historical flavor, Orca has full
amenities to offer the most discerning guest. Each of the
thirty four rooms, have great ocean views. Our chef and
crew cook up delectable delights in the cannery cookhouse
next door, while great guides offer unique and safe
excursions into the wilds of Alaska.
Look up in the trees behind the facility to watch nesting
bald eagles, wander the beach to see resident sea otters
play, or join the camaraderie of the game room. The
lodge offer bicycles and kayaks for self guided touring,
as well as great hiking. Spend the remainder of the
day exploring on your own.
 Day
2: Enjoy a day of guided hiking and
rafting in Cordova.
The trip begins with a short hike
along
the terminus of the Sheridan Glacier led by a naturalist
guide. Views of the glacier are spectacular. The hike ends
at the
Sheridan
Lake
, a large lake formed by the melt waters of the Sheridan
Glacier. Once you leave the lake, the class II & III
rapids are sure to add excitement to your trip. Then relax
and enjoy the scenery as you float across the Copper River
Delta to the takeout. Guides will have an Alaskan treat of
smoked Copper River Salmon, and hot and cold beverages waiting for you at
riverside.
Day
3: Today enjoy a guided road tour across the
Copper River Delta to the spectacular Childs Glacier.
The glacier provides some of the most active glacier
calving in Alaska as the voluminous Copper River cuts away
at the base of the glacier as it pours down into the river
from high in the Chugach Mountains. In addition, you will
be in awe of the amazing view of the historic Million
Dollar Bridge, once the vital link for the Copper River
Railway from Cordova to McCarthy and the Kennicott mines.
One of the massive spans of the bridge collapsed into the
river due to the great earthquake of 1964. Enjoy a
picnic lunch before your guide brings you back to Cordova
and the Mud hole Smith Airport for your return flight to
Anchorage on Era Aviation.
There
are many other activities and adventures in Cordova, such as
wildlife viewing or fishing on Prince William Sound, fly-out
bear viewing, guided or unguided hiking and great fishing.
Round trip flight from Anchorage to Cordova, two nights hotel
accommodation in Cordova with airport transfers, meals, guided
glacier rafting and guided sightseeing to Child's Glacier.
This tour can operate from Juneau, or as a stopover when flying
between Juneau and Anchorage. Slightly higher costs apply. Good
rain gear is recommended.
Rates on request!
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